The Bilaspur Municipal Corporation on Thursday took action against an allegedly unauthorised construction located dangerously close to an 11 KV high-tension power line, a day after two workers died of electrocution at the site.

The civic team reached the construction site with a bulldozer and began removing the portion of the building that officials said had been constructed in violation of the approved building plan. The action led to a heated argument between the house owner and municipal officials.

The property owner alleged that the Municipal Corporation had approved the building plan and that no prior notice had been served regarding the alleged unauthorised construction. Officials, however, maintained that notices had been issued twice and that construction continued despite the objections.

Two Workers Died in Electrocution

The incident took place in Swarn Jayanti Nagar Colony in Ward No. 19 of Kasturba Nagar, where a house belonging to Anup Singh was under construction.

On Wednesday, two workers, Bhupendra Sahu and Ravi Banjare, reportedly came in contact with an 11 KV high-tension line while working at the site. Both suffered fatal electric shocks and died.

Following the incident, Municipal Commissioner Prakash Kumar Sarve directed officials to remove the alleged unauthorised construction. A letter was also sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police seeking police assistance for the civic action.

Owner Objects to Demolition

When the municipal team arrived at the site with a bulldozer on Thursday, the property owner objected to the demolition.

The owner reportedly argued that the building plan had been approved by the Municipal Corporation and claimed that no objections had been raised by engineers during construction. He also alleged that no notice had been served before the demolition drive.

The dispute between the two sides reportedly escalated into a heated argument at the site.

Corporation Says Plan Was Violated

Municipal Building Officer Anupam Tiwari said the owner had constructed a portion of the building in violation of the sanctioned plan, particularly close to the high-tension line.

According to the corporation, the demolition was limited to the unauthorised portion. Officials said around nine feet of the construction at the front of the house was removed using a bulldozer.

Open Space Was Required

Sub-Engineer Jugal Singh said the approved building plan required open space to be maintained around the structure.

According to him, three metres of space was required in front of the building, three metres towards the road and 1.50 metres on another side. Open space was also required at the rear.

Officials said the construction found at the site did not comply with these requirements and that additional construction had been carried out close to the 11 KV power line.

Two Notices Were Issued

The Municipal Corporation's Zone-3 officials said notices were issued to building owner Anup Singh Thakur on April 9 and May 13, 2026, directing him to stop construction.

Officials said an inspection had found that the building was not being constructed according to the sanctioned plan. Despite the notices, construction allegedly continued.

Local residents also claimed that complaints had earlier been made regarding the construction. They questioned why stricter action was not taken when the alleged violation was first detected.

Some residents said that had the construction been stopped earlier, the fatal accident might have been prevented. However, this remains an allegation and has not been independently established.

Allegations of Political Pressure

During the demolition, there were also claims that attempts were being made to stop the civic action through political intervention. Some local residents alleged that the property owner was close to a local BJP leader.

Residents further alleged that the leader had been active during proceedings related to the construction and demarcation of the property.

These allegations have not been independently verified.

Municipal officials continued with the action and said they would remain at the site until the remaining alleged unauthorised construction was addressed.

Police Investigating Accident

Police are separately investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two workers.

Torwa police station in-charge Kishore Kenwat said the two deceased workers had previously worked with the contractor. They had reportedly approached him on Tuesday seeking work.

Police are investigating why the workers were on the roof and what work they were carrying out when they came into contact with the high-tension line. The roles of the property owner, contractor and others associated with the construction are also being examined.

According to police, no cement stains were found on the bodies or clothes of the deceased workers. After the post-mortem process, the bodies were handed over to their families for the last rites.

Municipal File Under Review

Executive Engineer Praveen Shukla said the corporation had received complaints from residents and that a notice had been issued to Anup Singh.

He also said a letter had been sent to the tehsildar for demarcation of the property.

Shukla added that his zone was later changed and that he was not aware of why further action was not taken at that stage.

Municipal officials said the complete file is now being examined. The sanctioned building plan and the construction found at the site will be compared, after which further action will be taken according to the applicable rules.